SELF-GUIDED LESSON: ALI AND ME

SELF-GUIDED LESSON: ALI AND ME
Recommended: Grades 4-12
Core Content Areas
: Reading, Writing, Health and Practical Living
Once Muhammad chose boxing as his career, he did what he thought would
make him the “greatest of all time.” Students will research what it took for Muhammad
to become a champion and reflect on how they can find the greatness within
themselves and choose their road to success. Pre and Post visit educational
suggestions are included.
SELF-GUIDED LESSON: ALI AND ME
Helpful Pre-Arrival Hints:
In order to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience, we suggest:
1. Students should bring a pencil (no pens) and a copy of the Ali and Me worksheet.
2. Discussion of the purpose of the trip so all students will know expectations upon arrival.
3. This worksheet is recommended for small groups (50 and under) as this exercise is truly an individual
reflective experience.
Suggestions for Pre-Visit Activities:
1.
2.
3.
Read biography of Muhammad Ali (can be downloaded as a part of this program)
Discuss important events in Muhammad’s life focusing on his preparation to become a boxer.
Review the worksheet and discuss any vocabulary that may present a challenge for some students.
Suggestions for Post-Visit Activities:
Review the completed Ali side of the Ali and Me worksheet:
1. Allow students time to fill in the section on the worksheet that refers to them.
2. Assist students with writing their Road to Success Plan (defined as how they are going to reach their goals).
3. Have students design a mental map of their climb to success and then have them make a physical diagram of how they are
going to achieve their goals.
4. Research books on athletes who play in similar sports and assign students a book to read and share with the group.
Suggested Reading Materials:
Start Something, You can Make a Difference, Earl Woods and the Tiger Woods Foundation
The Life You Imagine, Lessons for Achieving your Dreams, Derek Jeter with Jack Curry
The Soul of a Butterfly, Reflections on Life’s Journey , Muhammad Ali with Hana Yasmeen Ali
www.athletesforhope.org
MUHAMMAD ALI BIOGRAPHY
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 17, 1942, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. was named after his father (who was
himself named for the Kentucky abolitionist, Cassius M. Clay). At age 12, he had his bicycle stolen and he reported
the fact to a local policeman (and boxing trainer), Sergeant Joe Martin. Cassius wanted to “whup” the thief, but Martin
suggested that Clay learn to fight first. Under his guidance, Clay rapidly advanced through the youth ranks. Clay won
six Kentucky Golden Gloves while in high school and was allowed to graduate, despite his poor grades (later it would
be determined that Clay was dyslexic, though at the time, he was simply thought to be a low achiever). Clay later
joked about his lackluster academic record saying, “I said I was the Greatest, not the smartest.”
At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Clay won a gold medal as a light heavyweight boxer. He then turned
professional and, under the guidance of trainer Angelo Dundee, quickly became famous for his unusual style, his
spectacular results, and his tireless self-promotion. He made a name for himself as the “Louisville Lip” by composing
poems and predicting in which round he would knock out his opponent. He proudly sang his own praises, with sayings
like “I am the greatest” and “I’m young, I’m pretty, I’m fast, and can’t possibly be beat.”
Clay’s first professional fight was in his hometown of Louisville. He won and went on to win 18 more before taking on
the much feared and favored contender and titleholder, Sonny Liston. The fight took place on February 25, 1964. Clay
won the fight and became the heavyweight champion of the world.
A few days later, Clay announced his affiliation with the Nation of Islam and that his name was changed to
Muhammad Ali. In 1967, he refused to serve in the American army during the Vietnam War declaring himself a
conscientious objector and famously saying that he “got no quarrel with them Viet Cong.” Ali was stripped of his
championship belt, his license to box and was sentenced to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The sentence
was overturned on appeal three-and-a-half years later by a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court. Ali’s actions of
refusing military service and joining the Nation of Islam made him a lightning rod of controversy. These events and
Muhammad’s unprecedented boxing career made Ali one of that era’s most recognizable and controversial figures.
After being denied boxing licenses by more than twenty state boxing commissions, Ali took on Jerry Quarry in Atlanta
– and won. However, in 1971, he suffered a setback when he lost his title fight, a bruising 15-round encounter with
Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden. This fight, known as “The Fight of the Century,” was perhaps one of the most
famous and eagerly anticipated bouts of all time since it featured two skilled, undefeated fighters, both of whom had
reasonable claims to the heavyweight crown. The fight lived up to the hype, and Frazier punctuated his victory by
flooring Ali with a hard left hook in the final round. Ali’s religious views also evolved over time. He began to study the
Qur’an, and converted to Sunni Islam.
Ali regained his title in 1974, beating George Foreman in the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire. He would
retain his title until a 1978 loss to Olympic champion Leon Spinks. He defeated Spinks in a rematch, becoming the
heavyweight champion for a record third time. Ali retired from boxing permanently in 1981, with a career record of
56 wins, 5 losses and 37 knockouts.
Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome in 1982, a disorder of the nervous system that causes tremors or
“shakiness” to different parts of the body. Even though Ali has slowed down over time, he remains a hero to millions
around the world. In 1985, he was called upon to negotiate for the release of Americans held hostage in Lebanon. In
1996, he had the honor of lighting the Olympic Cauldron at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Traveling
across continents, he has hand delivered food and medical supplies to such needy sites as the Harapan Kita Hospital
for children in Jakarta, Indonesia and Sister Beltran’s orphanage for Liberian refugees on the Ivory Coast. In the U.S.,
he has helped such organizations as the Make-a-Wish-Foundation and the Special Olympics. In addition, Muhammad
has been the recipient of countless awards, including Amnesty International’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” the
United Nations “Messenger of Peace” and GQ’s “Athlete of the Century.” In 2005, President Bush awarded him the
Presidential Medal of Freedom.
That same year, he and his wife, Lonnie, opened the Muhammad Ali Center in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
The Center’s mission promotes the beliefs and convictions that drove Muhammad to become the person he is today,
appealing to the heart, spirit, and imagination of people worldwide. The Center inspires both children and adults
to form new commitments in their lives in areas of personal growth, integrity and respect for others, and it offers the
tools to make these commitments happen. On site, the Muhammad Ali Center boasts 2 ½ levels of compelling and
interactive exhibits that both communicate the six values of Ali’s life – respect, confidence, conviction, dedication,
spirituality, and giving – and encourage visitors to find greatness within themselves.
Muhammad Ali has been married four times. He and his wife, Lonnie, have been married since 1986 and have an
adopted son. Muhammad has a total of nine children.
ALI AND ME
There are numerous challenges facing athletes today. This worksheet is designed to assist you in finding the greatness within yourself.
General Colin Powell said “Look up to people for role models but look inside yourself to find the hero.” Choose your life’s direction
in something that you are good at and for which you have a passion. As you proceed through the Muhammad Ali Center, learning
about Muhammad Ali, take time to reflect upon yourself and lessons learned.
List answers as you visit the exhibits. Pay special attention to the six themed pavilions (Respect, Dedication, Confidence, Giving,
Conviction, and Spirituality), Journeylines (four blue screens) and the Train with Ali area.
Ali’s Sport
My Spor t
Ali’s Challenges
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
My Challenges
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ali’s Mentors
Name and relationship
1.
2.
3.
4
My Mentors
Name and relationship
1.
2.
3.
4.
What Sets Ali Apart From Others
1.
2.
3.
4
What Sets Me Apart From Others
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ali’s Training Techniques
1.
2.
3.
4
My Training Techniques
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ali’s Self-Marketing
1.
2.
3.
4
My Self-Marketing
1.
2.
3.
4.
ALI ROAD TO SUCCESS
• Learn to Respect all people
• Dedication to training for your sport
• Conviction to stick to what you believe in
• Confidence in yourself even when others don’t believe
• Giving of yourself and not expecting anything in return
• Spirituality, that inner voice and faith in a superior being
Road to Success
(Your Name)
Lessons learned early and throughout your life can apply to your relationships, your career, your success and your legacy.
Remember, when making the wrong decision it is easy to go from superhero to super zero.
SCHOOL VISIT SURVEY
School
Date
Number of students
School Contact Person
Grade (circle one):
Elementary
Middle
High
Other
Name of Program:
Thank you for participating in one of our Educational Programs. Your honest feedback will help us to serve students and teachers better.
Please rate each of the following aspects of your experience at the Muhammad Ali Center:
1. I feel that the quality of the program was
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Fair
Poor
Comments/Suggestions
2. I feel that the length of the program was
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Comments/Suggestions
3. I feel that the program’s alignment with our school curriculum is
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
4. What aspect(s) of the mandated curriculum do you feel that the program serves best?
Comments/Suggestions
5. I feel that communication between Muhammad Ali Center staff and our school staff was
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Comments/Suggestions
6a) Did you use the educational materials provided by the Muhammad Ali Center
To prepare your students for their visit
Yes
No
As a follow up or culminating activity upon your return to class
Yes
No
6b) I feel that the educational materials that I received from the Muhammad Ali Center are
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Comments/Suggestions
7. I feel that our class visit to the Muhammad Ali Center was
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
7b. My students felt that our class visit to the Muhammad Ali Center was
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Comments/Suggestions
8. Do you feel that your students were inspired by their visit to Muhammad Ali Center?
If so, in what way(s)?
Additional Comments or Suggestions (please use back if needed):
Yes
No